Birch trees
abstractions & constructions
Birch trees, symbolic of purity and renewal, hold a significant place in Lithuanian culture and history.
My surname Beržanskis, derived from the Lithuanian beržas for Birch Tree, prompted me to reflect on my sometimes profound, and at other times ephemeral connection with the country and culture of my parents.
The root word Beržas, suggests a possible historical or geographical connection to places where birch trees were abundant or significant.
This ongoing series of images, created using AI technology, merges the graceful and elegant beauty of birch trees with visual cues I see in the world around me.
This series of four images is a personal exploration of Birch Trees inspired by the opening credits of Dr. Zhivago.
The film is an epic romantic drama that explores the sweeping historical changes of early 20th century Russia.
Dr. Zhivago profoundly impacted me as a young man living in Australia, far removed from the narratives of the country of my parents who were displaced by the second world war. I yearned for a connection to my heritage while feeling adrift within Australian society.
This film provided me with a glimpse into a world that my grandparents knew, and gave me some understanding of the decades that followed with the creation of the Soviet Union and subsequent occupation of Lithuania.
Images from the opening credits of Dr. Zhivago evoke the birch forests and convey a sense of stark beauty and melancholy, reflecting the themes of the film.
Birch trees often represent resilience and endurance, which mirrors the characters' struggles and the historical upheavals depicted in the film.
This set of images are my homage to Dr. Zhivago and evoke the birch forests I finally saw in the Soviet Union and in Lithuania during my time there in the winter of 1990/91, blending my imagined visions with the reality I encountered.
Minimalistiniai beržai
This set of four images is reminiscent of the paintings of renowned Chilean artist José Basso, featuring ethereal and serene landscapes that depict vast, open spaces with a dreamlike quality. Each composition is minimalist, emphasizing a solitary birch tree against muted, almost monochromatic backgrounds and highlights the serene beauty and isolation of each tree, creating simple yet striking visuals.
